Ted Phillips Was Brutally Honest About Why His Presidency Failed

Determining whether a tenure is a success depends on perspective. Ted Phillips was always a businessman first when he joined the Chicago Bears. That was the primary reason he earned the team president job in 1999. The organization wasn't even worth half a billion dollars at that time. Over the next two decades, Phillips was instrumental in them evolving to become worth $5.8 billion. From that perspective, his tenure is an unqualified success. However, the job of team president isn't limited to how much money he makes. It's also about how much on-field success he was able to generate.

In that regard, Phillips was a failure. From 1999 through 2022, the Bears mustered a winning record seven times. They've made the playoffs six times and hold a 3-6 record in postseason play. The highlight of his tenure was losing Super Bowl XLI by 12 points to the Indianapolis Colts. The past ten seasons were by far his low point as the Bears mustered a winning record one time. Phillips was asked if he's reflected on his time in Chicago as he prepares to retire. The man was surprisingly outgoing on the topic, admitting the on-field failures nag at him and offering his explanation as to why.

Ted Phillips' legacy will be centered on his QB shortcomings.

It feels like the man was cursed from the start. In his first year on the job, Chicago selected Cade McNown 12th overall in the draft. Many view him as the biggest bust in franchise history. Throughout his presidency, the Bears have seen 28 different quarterbacks start a game for them. The Green Bay Packers, by contrast, have had seven. Constant failures to put a difference-maker under center will forever characterize Phillips' run in Chicago. He can only hope Justin Fields ends up being the one that finally works out.

People have long felt the only way the Bears finally turn the page on their ineptitude was to start over at the top. That meant Ted Phillips had to go. Their wish has been granted. Kevin Warren will officially replace him as president in April, and he will lead the organization in a new direction. He hopes to build on what Phillips accomplished. Or at least that is what he'd say. In truth, he will try digging the Bears out of the mud Phillips has trapped them in for the past two decades.